RCAF’s 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron supports Operation Impact

April 19, 2017
| Edmonton

By The Royal Canadian Air Force

About 60 members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base in Edmonton, Alberta, departed on April 17, 2017, for northern Iraq. There, they will assume the duties of the Tactical Aviation Detachment of Air Task Force–Iraq as part of Operation Impact, the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to the fight against Daesh.

“The Royal Canadian Air Force is proud to be part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to the ongoing fight against Daesh,” said Major-General Christian Drouin, 1 Canadian Air Division commander. “We provide air power that integrates with and supports our Canadian Armed Forces and coalition partners. The tactical helicopter detachment is a crucial component of this commitment. 430 Squadron has done a tremendous job over the past few months, maintaining a level of excellence that I know 408 Squadron will continue.”

Members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron will relieve personnel from 430e Escadron tactique d'hélicoptères, from Valcartier, Quebec, who have been providing tactical aviation support in northern Iraq since early October 2016. Personnel of 408 Squadron will fly and maintain four CH-146 Griffon helicopters, located with the Canadian-led Coalition Role 2 medical facility at Camp Érable, Iraq.

“As part of the fight against Daesh, 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron has deployed a contingent of men and women to provide in-theatre tactical transport in northern Iraq,” said Squadron commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor Teller. “I am proud of the commitment, readiness and professionalism of our airmen and airwomen, and am certain that they will provide the same level of excellence in the conduct of their mission as this squadron has done throughout its rich and operationally focused history.”

As many as four CH-146 Griffon helicopters provide in-theatre tactical transport for Canadian troops and materiel near Erbil, Iraq. The aircraft carry an array of self-defence systems for force protection.

“The men and women of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron will continue to provide the reliable and dedicated service that Canada’s Special Operations Forces and our coalition allies have come to expect from the RCAF,” said Colonel Jeannot Boucher, Commander 1 Wing, Kingston, Ontario. “As they deploy to support the fight against Daesh, I am confident that they will live up to their squadron motto, ‘For Freedom’.”